Child Development Center

Purpose

The Child Development Center is designed as a laboratory, childcare facility to:

1. Serve as a developmentally appropriate educational setting wherein FVSU student learners, in child development courses, may gain practical and hands-on experiences in observing, planning, guiding, and evaluating activities with young children between the ages 0─5 years under professional supervision.
2. Maintain wholesome conditions in which FVSU student learners may develop case studies and similar activities with children and their families.
3. Allow for the development of research projects on child and family development under supervision which will increase knowledge and understanding in child growth and development.

Goals

The Child Development Center will:

1. Provide developmentally appropriate activities and learning opportunities to foster the total development (i.e. physical, social-emotional, cognitive and moral) of children between the ages 0─5 years which acknowledge individual differences in capacity to develop and learn.
2. Provide support to parents through a variety of activities which enhance their development as parents.
3. Assist FVSU student learners in becoming proficient providers of guidance and support for young children individually and in group settings.
4. Provide a setting for research and study of behavior which contributes to knowledge in the Family and Consumer Sciences profession.

Philosophy

It is our belief that children are the core of the Child Development Center’s program; therefore, all that occurs here must be built around the children, their families, and our FVSU student learners. To his/her end, the program focuses on the whole child (i.e. physical, social-emotional, intellectual, and moral development). We endeavor to meet these needs in a healthy, wholesome and developmentally appropriate environment. We believe children learn best through play, which allows them to develop and practice concepts directly in a child-sized environment. We also believe that children need, expect, and deserve guidance which will help them to be safe, healthy, happy, and well-adjusted.

As children learn best in a developmentally appropriate setting, FVSU students also need direct hands-on experiences to enhance their skills. FVSU student learners deserve settings in which to observe, study, and experience child interactions for optimum opportunities to learn about children and their families. Furthermore, they need competent teachers and mentors to guide them by modeling best practices in the human behavior laboratory and real-life settings.

Curriculum

We know that the first years of childhood are the most important in a child’s development and learning. The adopted curriculums we use are Georgia Early Learning and Development Standards (GELDS) and High Scope.

GELDS:

These standards were developed to help parents and caregivers to be aware of what children should know and be able to do from birth through five years old. Their comprehensive nature promotes positive outcomes for all children. The standards are designed with the flexibility to support the unique and individual characteristics of each child. GELDS consist of five learning domains:

1. Social and Emotional Development
   • Develops a sense of trust in oneself and others.
   • Develops independence, initiative and self-reliance in making choices, decisions and judgments.
   • Develops empathy and effective interpersonal relationship skills to successfully function in one’s peer group.
2. Approaches to Learning
   • Demonstrates initiative and self-direction.
   • Sustains attention.
   • Demonstrates persistence.
3. Communication, Language and Literacy
   • Develops skills in verbal and non-verbal communication of ideas, needs and feelings.
   • Follows multi-step directions and requests.
   • Asks, understands and answers questions.
   • Develops an awareness of print.
4. Cognitive Development
   • Develops intellectual curiosity.
   • Develops skills in observing and problem solving and learning through personal efforts.
   • Uses skills learned in literacy, mathematics, science, social studies, and the arts to better ensure success in school.
5. Physical Development
   • Understands and appreciates own physical being and personal health.
   • Increases strength, endurance and flexibility through a variety of indoor and outdoor activities.
   • Develops fine motor strength, muscle control and eye-hand coordination.

HighScope:

The HighScope Model is a research-supported, child-centered approach.  The model is child-centered, adult-assisted, and encourages parental involvement. The HighScope curriculum promotes active learning through adult-child interaction, learning environment, schedule and routines, and observation.  

Contact Us

1101 Carver Drive
Fort Valley, GA 31030
(478) 825-6236